Guitar Tricks Online Guitar Lessons

Minor 7th Flat 5th E String Root

 
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In this lesson we will introduce the Minor 7th Flat 5th:


  • Root or 1st

  • Minor 3rd

  • Flat 5th

  • Minor 7th


    We'll learn how to to play or voice a minor 7th flat 5th chord rooted on the E string. This is also more traditional known as a half-diminished chord. Next we'll learn a typical jazz chord progression using the chord as a ii chord in a minor key progression.


    Bmin7b5 (ii) / E7 (V) / Amin7 (i) / Amin7 (i)


    We'll learn to voice the chord in a couple of different ways for variety. Finally in the next lesson we'll play the progression along with a backing track.

    • Instructor Christopher Schlegel
    Tutorial:
    Extended Harmony Chords Series 1
    Styles:
    Difficulty:
    print notation download lesson open guitar tuner
    Minor 7th Flat 5th E String Root song notation
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    Minor 7th Flat 5th E String Root By Christopher Schlegel

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    Questions & Answers

    1 year ago
    For the Bmin7b5, I find it very hard to cram three fingers into the 6th and 7th frets of the three adjacent strings. However, I can use my ring finger to press down the 7th frets of the D and G strings in sort of a mini-barre, while making sure that I do not mute the B string, and use the index finger to fret the 6th fret of the B string while using the middle finger to press down the 7th fret of the low E string. Is this also a valid fingering of this chord?
    Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

    Hello - thanks so much for your question! Yes, your fingering is completely valid! Whichever way you can fret the chord so that it rings out clearly and you can play consistently is a good thing. I also encourage you to keep trying the original fingering as well. Try this - make a B major barre chord at the 7th fret, and then try to move the shape of your ring, pinky, and middle into the Bm7b5 spot. Keep trying this, and eventually you'll find it easier and easier to make the original shape! But your alternate finger shape is fine too!